JP7187565B2 - Mounting device for long flexible members - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an attachment device for attaching an elongated flexible member extending through an aperture and to a protective device for the elongated flexible member comprising such an attachment device.

Offshore energy applications typically require long flexible members, such as power cables, to be secured to offshore installations.

This is usually accomplished by fixing one end of an elongated flexible member into a so-called J-tube or I-tube attached to the structure.
Prior art document GB 2 543 574 A discloses an elongated connector for subsea connections, such as cables with wind turbine generators, which has a plurality of locking elements, even in the form of spheres. It may be located on the ramp surface and held in multiple cages on the connector. The cage is movable to move the locking elements along the ramp surface to an engagement position where they may be on an upper region of the ramp surface and an engagement position where they may be on a lower region of the ramp surface. The plurality of cages are movable independently of each other. A release collar may be provided that allows all cages to move simultaneously to the disengaged position to allow removal of the connector. The slanted surface may be axially tapered such that the lower region faces the rear of the connector and the upper region faces the front, and it extends circumferentially around the connector. It may be one ramp.

However, there may be situations where an elongated flexible member must first pass through an opening in the wall of the structure to which it will be connected.

A typical example would be where a power cable passes through the wall of a monopile attached to the sea bed that forms the body of an offshore wind turbine. In such situations it is necessary to pull the cable through an opening in the wall of the monopile without causing damage to the monopile or the cable itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting device that allows an elongated flexible member to be pulled through an aperture and selectively and securely held in place within the aperture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a mounting device is provided for an elongated flexible member extending through an aperture.

A mounting device for the elongated flexible member extending through the aperture includes an elongated body having a longitudinal axis and a longitudinal axis for receiving the elongated flexible member. In parallel, an internal passageway passing through the elongated body, a plurality of openings in the elongated body, and a displacement axis inclined toward the longitudinal axis of the elongated body. an engaging member at each aperture and a plurality of actuating members, each engaging a respective actuating member, such that displacement of the actuating member in a first direction is controlled by said length; a plurality of drives displacing the engagement member outwardly to protrude beyond the periphery of the body of the shank, and displacement of the drive member in a second opposite direction displaces the engagement member inwardly and a biasing member biasing the drive member in the first direction.

When such a device is attached to an elongate flexible member such as a cable, the device can be pulled through an opening in the wall of the structure to which it is to be attached. The body of the device is designed to be slightly smaller than the opening through which the cables pass, but the engaging members project from the outer perimeter of the elongated body so that the device is pulled through. They are designed so that when they do, they engage the perimeter of the opening.

As the device is pulled through, the engagement member is displaced against the restoring force of the biasing means acting on the drive member, thereby allowing the device to be partially pulled through the opening. Become. However, when the force pulling the device through the opening is removed, the biasing means biases the drive member along the internal opening and biases the engagement member outwardly so that they , engages the periphery of the aperture through which the device extends.

As a result, the device can move forward through the opening in one direction, but is prevented from retreating from the opening in the opposite direction.

Preferably, the device comprises a plurality of elongate passages each having one of said drive members disposed therein.

In addition, the elongate passages are preferably arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body.

Preferably, said longitudinal axis of said internal passageway is aligned with said longitudinal axis of said elongate body.

Preferably, said internal passageway is cylindrical.

It is also preferable that the outer peripheral surface of the elongate body is cylindrical.

Preferably, said plurality of apertures are spaced around said elongate body at a first longitudinal position of said elongate body.

The device preferably comprises a plurality of recesses spaced around said elongate body at a second longitudinal position of said elongate body.

Preferably, the first plurality of openings correspond circumferentially to the plurality of recesses.

Additionally, the elongated passage in which the drive member is arranged preferably extends between each opening and the corresponding recess.

Preferably, the device comprises a movable tubular sleeve member external to said elongated body.

Preferably, said movable tubular sleeve member seals said plurality of openings. Preferably said movable tubular sleeve member is fixed to said drive member.

Preferably, said engaging member is constrained from radial movement with respect to said longitudinal axis.

It is also preferred that said engaging member is a stop.

Preferably, said biasing means is a spring.

Preferably, the device comprises connecting means for the passage of said elongated flexible member for connection to an elongated hollow protective device.

Preferably, the device comprises connection means at opposite ends of said elongated body, each for connection to an elongated, hollow protective device.

In addition, the device preferably comprises connection means for connection to the centralizer.

Preferably the device comprises connection means for connection to the cable protection device.

In addition, the device preferably comprises connection means for connection to the stiffener against bending.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a partial perspective view of a cable protection assembly comprising a centralizer, cable protectors and attachments shown installed on a monopile of an offshore wind turbine; FIG. 1b is a through section view of the cable protector of FIG. 1a; FIG. Fig. 1b is a side view of a mounting device and cable protection device forming part of the assembly of Fig. 1a; 1b is a front perspective view of a mounting device and cable protector forming part of the assembly of FIG. 1a; FIG. Fig. 1b is a rear perspective view of the mounting device and cable protector forming part of the assembly of Fig. 1a; 1b is a plan view of the mounting device of FIG. 1a; FIG. Figure 3b is a longitudinal section through the mounting device of Figure 3a; Figure 3b is a perspective view of the attachment device of Figure 3a showing the locking dog in the extended position; Figure 3b is a perspective view of the mounting device of Figure 3a showing the stop in the retracted position; 1 is a perspective view showing a drive member according to the invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a drive member according to the invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a drive member according to the invention; FIG. Figure 5b is a front plan view of the drive member of Figure 5a; Figure 5b is a longitudinal section through the mounting device of Figure 5a;

Figures 1a and 1b show a cable for a flexible power cable (not shown) fixed in an opening 102 in the wall of a column 104 of an offshore wind turbine according to an embodiment of the invention. A protection assembly 100 is shown. The cable is intended for connection to the generator of a wind turbine and the cable protection assembly 100 surrounds the power cable, both protecting the cable from the underwater environment and being bent radially to This prevents the cable from being damaged.

The portion of cable protection assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 1a-1b includes a centralizer 106 and a cable protection device 108, each of which is secured at one end to each end of mounting device 110. As shown in FIG.

Centralizer 106 and cable protector 108 are conventional and comprise tubular flexible members formed of high density polyurethane. In the described and illustrated embodiment, the centralizer 106 and the cable protector 108 are formed as stiffeners against bending, are tapered towards the end remote from the mounting device, and have a certain degree of flexibility. They are designed to provide flexibility and prevent cables from flexing so much that damage can occur as they pass through them.

Note that additional cable protectors may be attached downstream of cable protector 108 to provide protection at a location remote from stanchion 104 . Enclosed power cables may be protected, for example, by a series of interconnected bend limiting elements secured end-to-end and/or a series of flexible polyurethane tubing. However, additional cable protectors do not form part of the present invention and will not be further described.

As best shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the mounting device 110 includes an elongated cast iron tubular body 130 and a tubular retractable body 130 slidably mounted to the exterior of the elongated body 130. and a sleeve 112. The tubular body 130 is provided with eight identical openings 132 adjacent the first end and evenly angularly spaced around the outer peripheral surface of the elongated body 130 . Each opening 132 has a stepped perimeter and a peripheral shoulder 133, each opening receiving a fastener retaining cap 138, the outer surface of which defines an elongate tubular body 130. and the fastener retaining cap 138 is secured in place by four identical bolts 139 .

Each retaining cap 138 has a through hole to which a stop 136 is slidably mounted and constrained to displace radially (i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA of the elongate tubular body 130). An aperture 140 is provided.

Each stop 136 engages one end of an elongated drive member 142 such that displacement of each drive member 142 along its longitudinal axis causes the associated stop 136 to move as described below. is displaced radially inwards or outwards.

A leading face 144 of each stop 136 is angled with respect to longitudinal axis AA of mounting device 110 to facilitate insertion of stop 136 into opening 102 in wall of post 104 .

Activation of stop 136 is described in greater detail below.

At the front end 116 of the mounting device 110, a small diameter annular shoulder 118 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis AA of the mounting device 110 is received in a complementary shaped recess at one end of the centralizer 106. is provided for.

The annular shoulder 118 is provided with eight identical recesses 120 evenly spaced around the annular shoulder 118 and extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A of the mounting device 110 . . In use, each of the recesses 120 is threadedly inserted into a corresponding recess in the end of the centralizer 106 to secure the front end 116 of the mounting device 110 to the adjacent end of the centralizer 106. Accepts bolt 122.

At the opposite rear end 124 of the mounting device 110 is an annular shoulder 126 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis A--A of the mounting device 110 in a complementary shaped recess in one end of the cable protector 108. It is designed to be accepted by Annular shoulder 126 includes eight identical openings 128 evenly spaced around annular shoulder 126 and extending perpendicular to longitudinal axis AA of mounting device 110 . In use, each of the openings 128 has a securing member (not shown) inserted into the end of the cable protector 108 to secure the rear end 124 of the mounting device 110 to the adjacent end of the cable protector 108. accept.

The attachment device is also provided with eight identical recesses 146 adjacent the second end of the tubular body 130, as shown in FIG. 3b. Dimples 146 are evenly spaced around outer surface 134 of mounting device 110 below tubular retractable sleeve 112 . Each of the recesses 146 corresponds to one of the openings 132 and is circumferentially spaced in line with each other.

As best shown in FIGS. 3b, 4a and 4b, an internal passageway 148 is formed between each opening 132 and its corresponding recess 146 and is adapted to receive the drive member 142. It extends through the elongated body 130 of the device 110 parallel to the axis AA. Each internal passageway 148 and corresponding drive member 142 are dimensioned to permit movement of the drive member 142 along the longitudinal axis AA of the mounting device 110 .

5a, 5b and 5d, each stop 136 has an elongate through recess 150 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis A--A of the mounting device 110 to accommodate an elongate drive member 142. It is provided for receiving the coupling head 152 . Thus, drive member 142 has a coupling head 152 with a square cross-section and an elongated portion 154 with a circular cross-section.

The stop 136 is secured to the drive member 142 by two identical elongate projections 156 , 158 formed on opposite inner surfaces 160 , 162 of the recess 150 and angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mounting device 110 . is slidably attached to the coupling head 152 of the.

Elongated projections 156, 158 formed on the inner surfaces 160, 162 of the recess 150 correspond to correspondingly shaped grooves 164, 166 formed on opposite sides 168, 170 of the coupling head 152 of the drive member 142. accepted by Elongated slanted grooves 164, 166 receive correspondingly shaped elongated slanted projections 156, 158 to form an interlocking ramp mechanism, thereby slanting in a direction parallel to longitudinal axis AA. Movement of drive member 142 causes radial movement of stop 136, which is constrained by retaining cap 138. As shown in FIG.

As best seen in Figures 3b and 5a, the elongated portion 154 of the drive member 142 is provided with a coupling member 172 at one end. Coupling member 172 is mounted within recess 146 of mounting device 110 to secure drive member 142 to tubular retractable sleeve 112 . The tubular retractable sleeve 112 is provided with eight identical recesses 174 evenly spaced around its outer peripheral surface 176 and extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA of the mounting device 110. . Eight identical depressions 174 are arranged at each first longitudinal point.

In use, each recess 174 receives a fixing bolt 178 that is threaded into a corresponding recess 180 in coupling member 172 to secure drive member 142 to tubular retractable sleeve 112 .

The sleeve further comprises two identical recesses 175 evenly spaced around its outer peripheral surface 176 and located at a second longitudinal point. In use, each recess 175 has a shear bolt 191 that is threadably received in a corresponding recess 193 in elongated tubular body 130 and holds the sleeve in its normally retracted position (displaced to the right in the figure). accept. With this configuration, movement of tubular retractable sleeve 112 in a direction parallel to axis AA of mounting device 110 moves stop 136 radially between retracted and extended positions when desired. can be enabled, whereby the bolt 191 is sheared.

5a, 5b, 5c and 5e, the elongated portion 154 of the drive member 142 is stepped along its length and the first end of the heavy duty compression spring 182 is stepped. A peripheral shoulder 185 is provided for engagement with.

Similarly, as best shown in FIG. 3b, the internal passageway 148 is stepped along its length and has a circumferential shoulder 183 for engagement with the second end of a heavy duty compression spring 182. is provided. In use, heavy-duty compression spring 182 is disposed about the periphery of elongated portion 154 of drive member 142 between inner surfaces 187 and 189 formed by shoulders 185 and 183, respectively. As the drive member moves forward, heavy duty compression spring 182 engages and compresses inner surfaces 187 and 189, thereby urging drive member 142 in the opposite direction.

Coupling member 172 is provided with a through recess of circular cross-section that receives a stepped portion 177 of drive member 154 . A stepped portion 177 is defined between two circumferential shoulders 181, 179 that engage opposite outer surfaces 190 , 192 of the coupling member 172, respectively. In use, movement of the drive member in directions parallel to the mounting device axis AA is restricted by engagement of shoulders 181,179 with respective sides 190,192 of coupling member 172. As shown in FIG. This configuration allows stop 136 and corresponding drive member 154 to move independently of tubular retractable sleeve 112 and coupling member 172 .

In use, the cable protection assembly 100 is mounted on a cable laying vessel, mounted around the cable to be protected, and discharged over the ship's side into the water toward the turbine strut. This is accomplished in a conventional manner by means of a pulling line (not shown) extending from post 104 fixed in an eye of a conventional connector member (not shown) embedded in the forward end of centralizer 106. is realized by

The towline is also connected to the end of the power cable to be laid, and the connector member is provided with a predetermined weak link that breaks when a predetermined tension is applied. As a result, when the cable protection assembly 100 is held in an opening in the opening 102 in the wall of the wind turbine column 104, further pulling on the towline will cause the connector member to crack and force the power cable through the cable protection assembly 100. I will continue. A detailed description is given below.

The towline pulls the cable protection assembly 100 and cable toward the opening 102 in the wall of the stanchion 104 . Ultimately, centralizer portion 106 will pass through opening 102 , thereby assisting alignment of cable protection assembly 100 with opening 102 . Further pulling on the towline causes the body of the attachment device 110 to enter the opening 102 .

The outside diameter of the mounting device 110 is chosen to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the opening 102, but the stop 136 is such that the angled leading edge 144 of the stop 136 meets the boundary of the opening 102 as the mounting device 110 passes through. so that the stop 136 is moved to a retracted position, pushing the drive member 142 forward so that a heavy duty compression spring 182 attached to the drive member 142 is compressed. direction. In this manner, stops 136 retract inwardly against the force of associated compression springs 182 .

However, any movement of the mounting device 110 in the opposite direction causes the compression spring 182 to bias the drive member 142, urging the stop 136 radially outward so that the stop 136 is It is biased into tight engagement with the boundaries of the opening 102, thereby effectively preventing the mounting device 110 from backing out of the opening 102 in a forward direction. Stop 136 thus moves radially outward.

However, forward movement of mounting device 110 causes forward movement of tubular retractable sleeve 112 (which leads to shearing of shear bolt 191), causing drive member 142 to move against the force of associated spring 182 against the force of associated spring 182. forwardly, thereby urging the stop 136 to move out of engagement with the opening 102 in which the mounting device 110 is located and into a retracted position.

In this manner, stop 136 can be selectively retracted or extended. This allows the mounting device 110 , the centralizer 106 and the cable protector 108 connected thereto to be withdrawn from the opening 102 .

Although the mounting device 110 is intended to remain in place for an extended period of time, a retractable stop 136 is provided to facilitate removal of the mounting device 110 if required. to

This detailed description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as narrowing the scope of the disclosure in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the full and fair scope of this disclosure.

For example, the stop 136 may be spirally disposed within the mounting device 110 . Additionally, the mounting device 110 is described as being formed of solid cast iron. However, the mounting device may vary, including, but not limited to, a truly alloyed stainless steel derived steel such as stainless steel, Inconel (RTM) or super duplex stainless steel. It may be made of any material.

In addition, centralizer 106 and cable protector 108 are described in the above embodiments as stiffeners against bending. However, they need not be stiffeners against bending. For example, cable protector 108 may alternatively be a bend restrictor, a rigid tube, or an elongated rigid two-piece shell (eg, Uraduct®).

Other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Claims (18)

A mounting device (110) for an elongated flexible member, comprising:
an elongated body (130) having a longitudinal axis;
an internal passageway passing through said elongated body (130) parallel to said longitudinal axis for receiving said elongated flexible member;
a plurality of openings (132) in the elongated body (130) ;
the plurality of openings (132) are spaced around the elongated body (130) at a first longitudinal position of the elongated body (130);
a plurality of recesses (146) spaced about the elongated body (130) at a second longitudinal position of the elongated body (130);
an engagement member (136) located in each aperture (132) and constrained to move along an axis of displacement inclined toward the longitudinal axis of the elongated body (130);
A plurality of actuating members (142), one each engaging a respective engaging member (136) such that displacement of the actuating members (142) in a first direction effects movement of the elongate body ( 130), and displacement of the actuating member (142) in a second opposite direction displaces the engagement member (136). a plurality of inwardly displacing actuating members;
and a biasing member (182) that biases the activating member (142) in the first direction. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a plurality of elongate passageways (148) each having one of said actuating members (142) disposed therein. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the elongate passageway (148) is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body (130). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein the internal passageway is cylindrical. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongated body (130) has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2 , wherein the plurality of openings (132) are in circumferentially corresponding locations relative to the plurality of recesses (146). 6. Claim 6 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the elongate passageway (148) in which the actuating member (142) is located extends between each opening (132) and a corresponding recess (146). or according to any one of claims 3 to 5 dependent on claim 2. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a movable tubular sleeve member (112) external to the elongated body (130). 9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the moveable tubular sleeve member (112) seals the plurality of recesses (146). 10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or claim 9 , wherein the movable tubular sleeve member (112) is fixed to the actuating member (142). Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the engagement member (136) is constrained from radial movement relative to the longitudinal axis . A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the engagement member (136) is a stop. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the biasing member ( 182 ) is a spring. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising connection means for connection to an elongated hollow protective device through which the elongated flexible member passes . 15. Apparatus according to claim 14 , comprising connecting means at opposite ends of said elongated body (130) each for connecting to an elongated hollow protective device. 16. Apparatus according to claim 14 or claim 15 , comprising connection means for connection to a centralizer (106). A device according to any one of claims 14 to 16 , comprising connection means for connection to a cable protection device (108). A device according to any one of claims 14 to 17 , comprising connection means for connection to a stiffener against bending.

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